Today (14 January 2010), asked by the media about the Foreign Ministry’s view with regard to the article by H.E. Mr. Eric John, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, on the return of Laotian Hmongs to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, published in the Bangkok Post, Ms. Vimon Kidchob, Director-General, Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, said that Thailand understands the concerns of the U.S. government regarding the issue of the Laotian Hmongs.
Asked if the Thai authorities felt dismayed by the U.S. position, she said that the U.S. should have understood the real situation and the implications of ongoing developments, given that both countries have been working together and engaged in constant consultations at various levels on this not just in recent months but over several years. Moreover, the two countries have been strong partners in cooperating to address a wide range of issues of common concern.
The Director-General said that of concern is the fact that the article presents only one side of the story, and prejudges the future evolution of the situation. “Thailand remains committed to our long-standing humanitarian tradition and has never departed from our humanitarian principles,” she said. Over several decades, Thailand has hosted millions of those fleeing from fighting or persecution. Today it remains host to over 100,000 displaced persons from Myanmar who have found themselves in a protracted situation.
After the large scale resettlement of the Laotian Hmongs from Tam Krabok in 2003-2004, it was generally recognized that the situation in Laos had significantly changed, with the Indochina conflict having ended more than three decades ago. However, Laotian Hmongs continued to enter Thailand illegally in search for opportunities in third countries, some lured by people smugglers and unscrupulous individuals in the Hmong community. In spite of their irregular status under Thai law, Thailand had since continued to provide them with shelter and cooperated with humanitarian partners and NGOs in ensuring that basic needs were met. The Thai authorities were also in constant discussion with all concerned, including the Lao PDR, the United States, other interested countries and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to find a long-term solution for the remaining Hmongs. However, due to their large number and also the fact that third countries no longer have any plan to resettle them as a group, Thailand was obliged to seek cooperation from the Lao PDR with a view to jointly finding a solution to this issue.
The return of the Laotian Hmongs on 28 December 2009 was carried out in a safe and orderly manner. It followed assurances given by the Government of the Lao PDR to the Thai Government at all levels that legal proceedings will not be undertaken against the returnees, that requests for onward travel by them will be facilitated, and that countries wishing to receive some Laotian Hmong returnees for resettlement can directly discuss details with the Government of the Lao PDR.
“Importantly, the article did not acknowledge the assurances provided by the Lao PDR Government. Thailand respects the position and assurances of the Lao PDR, and there is no reason to question a sovereign country which is a neighbouring country and a friend. We must honour our bilateral commitments, and are confident that the Lao PDR will do the same,” Ms. Kidchob said, noting that during the course of 2008-2009, the Thai authorities facilitated 19 returns of over 3,200 Laotian Hmongs, and there has been no report of any difficulties or persecution faced by these returnees. Likewise, there has been no such report of difficulties encountered by the recently returning Laotian Hmongs.
“On 7-9 January 2010, the Lao Government facilitated a visit of a U.S. congressional delegation to Phalak village, where a number of the returning Laotian Hmongs has been resettled. Mr. Eni Faleomavaega, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said during his press conference in Vientiane that there is no indication of discrimination or harassment or mistreatment of the people in Phalak village”, she added. The visit coupled with the testimonial statement given by the congressman should help allay some of the concerns about the safety of, and access to, the Laotian Hmongs returning from Thailand.
The Director-General said that the Foreign Ministry had conveyed its disappointment on the said article to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. The Thai side believed that both Thailand and the U.S. as well as overseas Laotian Hmongs, should work together to help promote national development in Laos, and support national reconciliation, as this would help resolve the complicated issue of the Laotian Hmongs in a sustainable manner.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th